a word about form... cont'd.

Fifteenth century Ming Dynasty scholars drew much of their inspiration from nature itself. The Taoist's celebration of natural form is reflected in everything from root sculptures to rock gardens to paintings. It was the scholar class that set the standard in this "celebration". Having an exemplary naturalistic root or rock in your household and more importantly your studio was de rigueur for the time.
In traditional Japanese households a single naturally formed tree trunk is often supporting a part of the roof or ceiling to bring a reminder of nature into the rigid and often structured array of finely matched timbers symetrically joined. The contrast between gnarled tree trunk and finely smoothed timbers is revered in both cultures.
Following are examples from my collection of very large vessels carved from exquisite tree trunks. The trunks are polished and the interiors are bored smooth and left cylindrical to add contrast and praticality as scroll containers for the scholar's studio. Smaller versions would be desk top objects for brush containers.
These are very heavy and about the size of a small waste paper basket.

These are some of my favorites. They are available at www.sinotique.1stdibs.com